Thread by @scooterkendall

A🧵about @MustReadAlaska , Suzanne Downing (@Downing907), and accountability.
I know MRAK regularly allows commentary and dog-whistles containing misinfo, racism (esp against AK Natives), homophobia, survivor blaming, and the like
But today the topic is #Antisemitism
#akleg 1/16

We all know that dozens of anti-mask protesters showed up this week to the Anchorage Assembly wearing Yellow Stars of David. This was the culmination of Antisemitism that has been brewing nationwide for years, but...
#akleg 2/16

...locally has been stoked by "leaders" like @GovDunleavy who at a press conference over a month ago compared Covid mitigation measures to "Europe in the 30s"-- a poorly veiled attempt to analogize health measures to the Holocaust. This is anti-Semitic, just ask @ADL
#akleg 3/16

@mayor_bronson initially supported protesters using the Star of David as a masking protest symbol. But, to his credit (and after national outrage), he spoke with a local Rabbi & others, then apologized. Further, he asked protesters not to use the symbol anymore.
#akleg 4/16

Unlike @mayor_bronson the Governor has never apologized, clarified, or even acknowledged his prior comments minimizing the Holocaust.
@GovDunleavy would obviously prefer that we forgot all about it.
#akleg 5/16

And *that's* the problem. @GovDunleavy and others would like to stoke these feelings and take advantage of them-- because an angry base is a motivated base. But doing so too overtly is dangerous.
This is where @MustReadAlaska & @Downing907 comes in...
#akleg 6/16

@MustReadAlaska provides a platform to stoke hate and rhetoric that *most* Alaskans find unacceptable. @GovDunleavy & others can whisper to a hate-fueled crowd while presenting a "normal" face to most Alaskans.
#akleg 7/16

Exhibit 1 of many is this👇 article by @Downing907 still up & defending the anti-Semitic behavior at the Assembly mtg. That's right, even though @mayor_bronson has apologized, @MustReadAlaska continues to stoke hate and politicize Holocaust imagery.
#akleg 8/16

Here are some images of the commentary from @Downing907 's readership that she hosts on her site...
@ADL do these seem #Antisemitic 👇 ?
#akleg 9/16

@ADL how about these👇?
Are they likely to stoke #Antisemitism ?
@Downing907 do you agree with these statements? If you don't, why do you incite this and leave them up? Why do you provide a platform for hate and intolerance?
Tough to keep up bc more appear hourly
#akleg 10/16

And so we realize it isn't only fringe elements from the edges of society, here's a post from someone who appears to be former Mayor Dan Sullivan (@MayorSullivan) apparently defending the #Antisemitic use of the Yellow Stars of David.
#akleg 11/16

So here's the question: will we hold those who support @MustReadAlaska culpable?
Why would @GovDunleavy provide exclusive interviews and access to @Downing907 unless he supports these extreme #Antisemitic views?
What about donors or advertisers on the site?
#akleg 12/16

So, if you're a public figure who patronizes or supports @MustReadAlaska you should expect to be asked about whether you support the extreme views published there: @radiostieren @GovDunleavy @akgovpress @akgop & many others.
#akleg 13/16

Especially, you @KellyForAlaska , considering that one of your supporters was not only part of the anti-Semitic mob, but apparently was carrying a firearm he refused to disclose to the police when contacted.
#akleg 14/16

Finally, @akgop you say you support Israel & the Jewish people, but your support for @MustReadAlaska is well known + one of your high ranking party officials was a ringleader of this Anti-Semitic behavior
Do you continue to support @Downing907 and this party officer?
#akleg 15/16

There is too much hate. It's time for the majority of reasonable and kind Alaskans to hold those who promote or profit by it accountable.

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs." Proverbs 10:12

And sometimes "love" means fighting hate.

#akleg 16/16